Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Happening Now

Cookeville To Consider New Community Vehicle

Cookeville City Council will consider the purchase of a new vehicle for the community development department Thursday.

Department Director Jon Ward said the new car would be an administrative vehicle used for activities like inspecting sites and viewing development proposals. Ward said his department would also use the car to commute to training events out of town as needed.

“We were just looking for something, a mid-size option that was, I considered was an affordable option that would accommodate four adults if necessary,” Ward said. “So I know some of the other departments had looked at vehicles that had different ground clearances, things like that. That wasn’t a driver for us on this decision.”

Ward said his department budgeted about $42,000 for the purchase and was able to get a quote for some $31,000. Ward said the Toyota would replace a 2005 vehicle that his department is currently using.

“I hate to admit it, but I have to agree that Kia’s probably seen it’s better days,” City Manager James Mills said.

Ward said the car would be purchased through a statewide contract. Ward said his department looked at purchasing a Ford Explorer but ultimately decided against it.

“I just don’t see the value in us paying ten thousand more for what we’d use it for,” Ward said.

Share